Swimming device of mermaid shape



Oct. 3, 1967 c. GRlLLl SWIMMING DEVICE OF MERMAID SHAPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 10, 1966 W ATTURNEYS Oct. 3, 1967 c. GRILL! SWIMMING DEVICE OF MERMAID SHAPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 10, 1966 INVENVTOR Chloe GHIZZL' 10 BY 47TURNY5 United States Patent 3,344,449 SWIMMING DEVICE OF IVERMAID SHAPE Chlde Grilli, New York, N.Y. (Hotel Bossert, Montague and Hicks Sts., Brooklyn, N.Y. 21201) Filed June 10, 1966, Ser. N0. 556,688 4 Claims. (Cl. 9-309) A principal object of the present invention is to provide a swimsuit that converts a female swimmer into a mermaid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a swimsuit that simulates a whale tail.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a swimsuit with a fin in simulation of the flipper of a seal.

Yet another object is to provide a swimsuit of this kind with perforations to permit the water to flow therethrough and thus create propulsion energy.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a swimsuit embodying one form of the invention shown applied to a female wearer.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a swimsuit em- -bodying a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of fin.

FIG. 6 is a similar view of another modified form of fin.

FIG. 7 is a similar view of still another modified form of fin.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the fin of FIG. 7 applied to the foot of a wearer, the fin being shown in moved positions in dot-dash lines.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of yet another modified form of fin.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring now in detail to the various views of the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is shown a swimsuit or toy embodying one form of the invention shown on a female swimmer, the suit being generally designated at 10.

The swimsuit 10 takes the form of a sock or bag of elasticized fabric or cloth having a tubular body 12 tapering from one end to the other. At its wide end the body is provided with a hem 14 formed by a line of stitching 16, and the body is split at the front or stomach portion thereof as indicated at 18. A string 20 extends through the hem and protrudes outwardly of the front at the split for tying the wide end of the body around the waist above the hips of the wearer. The narrow end 22 of the body of the swimsuit is closed forming a pocket or foot portion 24 for the feet 26 of the wearer. The pocket is formed with spaced perforations 28 at opposite sides.

In accordance with the invention, a fin structure 30' is attached to the pocket 24. The fin structure 30 comprises a generally triangular-shaped body formed of two sheets 32 to solid rubber, the sheets at the wide portion 34 of the body being juxtaposed and secured together by adhesive 36 and at the upper narrower portion 38 being spaced apart providing a socket portion 40 to receive the foot portion 24. The upper tapered portion is formed with spaced perforations 42 aligned with the perforations 28 in the foot portion 24, so that passages are provided across the socket portion of the fin structure.

3,344,449 Patented Oct. 3, 1967 The wide portion of the body is curved at its bottom edge and indented centrally as indicated at 44 and is formed with curved laterally extending wing portions 46.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, a modified form of swimsuit 10' is illustrated which differs from the swimsuit 10 merely in that a zipper closure 20' is provided for fastening the suit around the waist instead of the string 20, and the fin structure 30' is formed with spaced ribs 50 providing reinforcement and balance. 1

FIG. 6 illustrates a further modified form of fin structure 10" which differs from the fin structure 10 of FIG. 1 in that a pair of spaced rubber plate like flanges 52 and 54 extend vertically outwardly from the surface of one sheet 32" on both sides of the indenture 44" for reinforcing and adding balance.

The reinforcing and balancing flanges 52a and 54a shown in the modified form of fin structure 10a of FIGS. 7 and 8 are formed of separable blocks 56, and are positioned similarly to the flanges 52 and 54 but extend to points remote from the top of the body of sheet 32a. By manipulating the toes and feet of the wearer, the fin structure is bent and collapsed to the positions shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 8 upon a forward stroke.

In the modified form of fin structure 10x shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the body is molded into a one-piece body with a socket 58 formed in the top end thereof to receive the pocket 24x. The body is formed with a deep central indenture 44x and with a plurality of integral flaps 60 adapted to be forced laterally of the plane of the body by kicking with the feet, to the positions shown in dash lines in FIG. 10.

In use, the swimsuit or garment 10 is pulled up over the legs of the wearer and the feet of the wearer fitted into the pocket 24. The waistband or hem 14 is tied around the waist above the hips of the wearer by means of the string 20 as shown in FIG. 1, giving the appearance of a mermaid, destitute of legs.

By means of a slight rolling of the hips, from one side to the other, the wide end of the body of the suit can be fitted over the hips after which it is tied around the waist above the hips by means of the string 20.

When a person is attired in the swimsuit 10 as shown in FIG. 1, such person can enjoy a swim by kicking with the legs and feet thereby moving the fin structure which drives the person forward. In addition, water pouring through the aligned perforations in the pocket 24 and fin structure 30 provides additional propulsion energy and drive. Undulating in caterpillar style is a method of ground maneuvering capable with the improved swimsuit. The swimsuit permits a person to stand on his or her heels on the edge of a pool and dive gracefully into the pool.

The improved swimsuit is adapted for various uses besides swimming. For example, races with the racers wearing the suits may be carried on, on land or in the water. The suits can be used by patients in hospitals with good results. Even the mentally ill can wear them with beneficial results. Wearing the suits also produces a feeling of poise and calm serenity.

It shall be understood that this garment makes excellent gear for underwater repairs of ships and can be used in deep sea exploration.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A swimsuit of the kind described comprising a tubular tapering fabric body open at its wide end and closed at its narrow end, and a fin structure attached to the narrow end of the body, the closed end of the body and the body of the fin structure being formed with aligned perforations.

2. A swimsuit as defined in claim 1 wherein the closed end of the suit is formed with a plurality of spaced perforations, and wherein the fin structure is formed with a generally triangular shaped body, the wide end of the body of the fin structure being indented centrally of its bottom edge and being formed with laterally extending wings, the narrow end of the body of the fin structure being formed with spaced perforations in line with the perforations in the closed end of the swimsuit.

3". A swimsuit as defined in claim 1 wherein the body of the fin structure is formed with a pair of spaced flange plates on both sides of an indenture therein.

4 4. A swimsuit as defined in claim 1 wherein the body of the fin structure is formed with a pair of spaced elongated flanges formed of separable blocks on both sides of an indenture.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,259,782 3/1918 Savage 46151 FOREIGN PATENTS 621,721 2/ 1927 France.

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

P. E. SAUBERER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SWIMSUIT OF THE KIND DESCRIBED COMPRISING A TUBULAR TAPERING FABRIC BODY OPEN AT ITS WIDE END AND CLOSED AT ITS NARROW END, AND A FIN STRUCTURE ATTACHED TO THE NARROW END OF THE BODY, THE CLOSED END OF THE BODY AND 